the beauty shop, you asked?

Yes! So we took a trip to the Beauty Shop. Adimi drove us to one that his wife used to go to. After he talked to the ladies for a while about what we wanted, they quickly got to work. They seemed to find it very humorous and it was fun to exchange smiles and "muy bonitas" with them.

We still all laugh about how we look we have braided mullets! But when we arrived back to the Seminary to start our after school program (which went SO well- I'll share more soon) the kids loved our hair!! We look just like the girls now and they seem to love that.

We had some difficulties getting it all wrapped up to prepare for bed and ended up looking like little maids. Oh bless. It's fun though! Only In Africa, right?? :)

Love Always, Allyson

sunday services & a boat ride!

We just returned back to our house after a busy morning and afternoon. Tomas came to pick us up around 9:00 this morning for church. The church that we were scheduled to visit was actually the church that he regularly attends. It was in downtown Maputo and it was nice to be around a congregation that he knew very well. I loved his church so much! The people there were extra welcoming (if that's even possible since everyone here is so hospitable) and they praised God like there would be no tomorrow. We arrived in time for the end of Sunday school and then we entered the Santuary, wherehe took us to the stage to a bench waiting for us. He told us we needed to sit there because we are special today (like I said, very hospitable). The service began around 10:00 and the worship lasted until around 11:30. I love the way they sing here. Every single person sings at the very top of his or her lungs. Their voices are so beautiful. Each age group sings together, so the women, the men, the young marrieds, and the youth. But they add us into the mix, and we did our usual, "Waves of Mercy" and "God is so good." They loved it so much. There was a much older gentlemen in one of the front rows that loved the hand motions. He tried his best to keep up and do every one. It was such a great service and God was definitely in that place. Towards the end of the service there was a time of prayer. It is very common here for everyone to erupt into many individual prayers at the same time and out loud. I couldn't help but open my eyes and look around at the people. It was a beautiful outburst. I saw so many tears, and so many individuals crying out to Christ. Each individual represents such an amazing story. These people are living here, in this broken, nearly dysfunctional society, all day long, day after day. I am the one with a plane ticket home to a country where things appear to be so organized and put together compared to this place. God is working in me.. showing me these things that his heart breaks for. I can't help but break for them too. I cannot think of a time that I have seen worship modeled in a more pure and genuine way. They were such a blessing to worship with.

After the service Tomas introduced us to his friend Claudio, that had come to help translate with him. He and Claudio took us around town and we took them out to lunch to Mimmo's again. (The same place that we ate pizza last time) They loved it and were so excited, they ordered steak! :) Afterwards they told us that they wanted to take us to the beach across the river. They explained to us that we would have to transport across by boat. So... we followed as they directed and walked to a dock nearby. These men handed us each a ticket and sure enough, there was a little boat waiting for us! It looked like a fishing boat to me, but it took us on a short ride across the body of water to a large island across the way. We got back off the boat and were able to walk along the beach. It was a nice change of scenary and a great way to spend the Sunday afternoon. It also allowed us to spend more time with Tomas, our site coordinator, and get to know him a little better. After we spent a little time on the beach we got on another boat which took us back to the dock we came from. Then Claudio and a friend of his took us back home. We are now looking forward to tomorrow when our after school program starts! Pray for the children who will be attending, and pray for us as well as we have such a precious time to interact with them.

Thank you all so much for your prayers for better health. I have definitely been feeling better and am just left with somewhat of a sore throat (no biggie). Thank goodness... and the team all is well too. There aren't any serious illnesses or anything, praise God.
I could only use some suggestions for good mosquito bite home remedies? I have about 6 new welts due to these pesky mosquitoes and would love something that would cure my itchiness. Caladryl and benadryl are getting me through, so hopefully they'll all be gone quickly.... so thank you!

I love you guys.. and appreciate you all.
Always, Allyson

a great saturday

Well after today I feel like I could be a spokesperson for 24 hour fitness or a candidate for Survivor or something. So we were supposed to be cleaning a church today, but our site coordinator, and only source of transportation these days, texted us last night and told us that his car was broken and at the service station. When we woke up this morning we were all feeling like we had a little bit of cabin fever! We thought of what we could do and could not seem to come up with any ideas that didn't require walking or chappas, so we decided to walk! When Dave Restrick took us to the beach a couple weeks ago, it seemed as if it was right down the street, so we put on our flip flops, took on the adventure, and headed for the beach.

We began walking.... and walking.... and walking. Down these difficult sand roads, around corners, and following our gut for direction. I might mention that there aren't any street signs, stop lights, or stop signs along these roads to the beach. We passed chickens, goats, many staring faces, a donkey, bikes, and houses. Before we knew it, we were about an hour and a half from the Seminary and facing the Indian Ocean. It was a beautiful day and we were able to buy a few souvenirs by the beach. We stopped in at a little restaurant for lunch and ate a snack and each had a coke. It was a nice treat, but also a quick one. We knew we needed to head back to the Seminary because we were not one hundred percent positive that we knew the entire way back to Seminary. It's difficult to decipher one street from another since they all look exactly the same. After some great guesses, we made it back before dark, along with our souvenirs and poor blistered feet. Oh, what an adventure! It was a good day, and we all got some much needed exercise.

After arriving, we changed our shoes and headed outside to play with the kids. They were waiting by our door, all anxious as always to kiss our cheeks and give us hugs. They all know our names now... so when they sit on our porch they call our names, "Kayll... All zun.... Chrishtina..." We love it more than anything. We played hand games until dark since the mosquitos are so bad at night. I am so thankful that we have them here. We are definitely looking forward to our after school program with them starting Monday!

Tomorrow we will be going to church, so I'm sure I'll have more stories to tell soon :) Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement! I have received comments and messages from some of you that I didn't even know had the link to my blog! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're all so great. Keep me posted with what is going on with all of you and with things that I can also keep in prayer for you. I would love to be able to lift you guys up in prayer specifically and according to your needs. I'll write again soon.

Love Always, Allyson

ps. here are a few random pictures

I took this picture from the car. We were leaving Shop Rite (the grocery store) and people are always selling things at the entrance/exit. This man had his face at our window at one point trying to sell us this poor rabbit! Notice his paws are tied up. Sad day!

This is the salad that we avoid at all costs. With the typical loaf of bread (which is sooo good!)

We see women like this every day. This is talent! She's carrying water by the way.

Some of the kids when they first came in the house for movie night! More ended up coming and we had cookies and watched Chicken Run!

Bye!

sanding, painting, and chappas

What an adventure. The plans really played out and we painted a church.

The morning started at 7:30 am when two men from a church were waiting for us outside of our door. We got ready and met them outside. They spoke some English (one of them we knew, but hadn't spent a lot of time with), and were able to tell us we were walking to the church we would be painting. They told us it was close, but we already knew that "Mozambique close" is much different than "American close." So we started walking and walking.... and walking. It seemed even longer because you are walking through sand when you walk down the roads, it feels a lot like walking on the beach in tennis shoes. (sometimes nearly impossible.) So when we arrived we were handed little squares of sandpaper... we sanded the whole concrete building with the other members of the church. They were friendly must most didn't speak English, so we worked side my side and communicated through smiles. Then we began to paint the church. With so many helping hands it went pretty smoothly and quickly. It seemed that things were wrapping up and we realized that all the women were no where to be seen. We found them behind the church with cutting up loads of salad, boiling water for tea, and with bags of bread. They were preparing lunch... as always. My stomach immediately went weak, salad is what made me so sick last weekend. We aren't supposed to eat anything that is uncooked because it's contaminated due to their unfiltered water. I found a little bag on the floor and put it in my purse. I knew I had to find a way around another week of sickness. So they prepared a table to set all the food on and set pews around for all of us to eat. Kristin and I were able to slip our salad little by little into the baggie in my purse without anyone noticing. Kayley let Jerry eat her salad as seconds, as he was willing to endure the sickness this week. I ate my bread and drank my tea and everyone left happy.

So everyone began to tell us bye and pointed us in the direction we needed to leave. We asked them if we were going alone, and they said, well... "We have someone walk you to main road." We were all immediately nervous. The man who began walking with us (a pastor from near by that came to help paint) sensed our frustration and just kept walking with us. I prayed and prayed the Lord would keep us safe, I think this man was an answer to prayer. He led us to a corner where there were a bunch of Chappas. Chappas are what people here call 'public transport.' It's actually a stripped out mini van, that seat about 25 people. We have only heard bad stories about these things and were so hesitant to get on. We told him that we didn't want to ride it and wanted to walk, but he told us it was okay, that he was going to ride it with us, and even insisted on paying. He was so nice and our Chappa wasn't jam packed either. It took us all the way to the street the Seminary is on and the pastor man walked us to the entrance. We thanked him immensely and he went on his way. We made it walking to a far away church and riding a chappa home without having anything stolen or getting lost. I am so thankful! God really keeps us safe!

We have decided as a team that agreeing to walk somewhere in the future is a bad idea, especially when our site coordinator is not nearby on Seminary to come and pick us up. We will be sure that there are concrete plans in the future, just to be on the safe side. You live and you learn :)

planning, planning, planning

So this week, our schedule said that we would be touring Maputo and visiting the beach! But it is already Wednesday night and we haven't left the Seminary yet. We haven't given up just quite yet and are hoping we may go out on Friday, we'll just see what happens with the remainder of the week. Last night, Tomas, our site coordinator, came to as us if we could help paint a church on Thursday morning at 7:00 am (These are the postponed plans from last week). So tomorrow we will be getting up early to see if the plan really plays out.

Today we have worked on planning an after school program for the children here on Seminary. We are so excited! We will start the program next week and it will take place on: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for the next two weeks. (June 29th-July 10th.) We will have it from 2:30-4:30pm and will begin with worship music and a game outside. Then we will take all the kids into our house for crafts around the table and we'll end with a snack. Today we really worked on a lot of crafts and have started making examples to show the kids what their end products will look like. We will have things like popsicle stick-picture frames, noodle-necklaces, brown paper bag puppets, etc. It should be a lot of fun. We will end the second week with a giant Happy "Unbirthday" Party! The kids here don't know their birthdays (many of their parents don't even know them) and have never had a birthday party. So we have decided that this party is a neccesity! We will be making cupcakes- each with a candle, decorate, attempt to make a pinata, have pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs, have them decorate goodie bags, etc. We're excited to have a fun, yet structured next couple of weeks with the kids.. I'll definitely keep you all posted on the progress!

Kristin is in the process of making clothes for all of the kids! She's great with the sewing machine and has already made three adorable dresses and will be making outfits for the boys too. We're hoping to wrap them all and give them as "birthday gifts." It's been so fun to act as "moms" to these kids. I'd say they have gotten us wrapped around their little fingers. (It's funny how that can happen) So that will also be one of the ongoing projects around this house.

In our guest house that we're staying in, we have a spare bedroom full of bunk beds, so on Friday night, we will take all the mattress' off the beds and put them on the floor of our living room and have a MOVIE NIGHT with all the kids!! The Restrick's have a projector so we will project a Disney movie on the wall and spend the evening with them. We may even introduce them to popcorn. It should be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to a great week. Continue to pray for the Restrick's as they are traveling into extremely primative areas and driving long distances. And we are also all getting sick (probably from these kids.) It just seems to be the typical cold, but it would be nice if it would pass quickly :) Thank you all again for all your encouragement, prayers, and messages. You don't know how much them mean and help!

Love Always, Allyson

A Singing Competition & Father's Day.

The weekend seemed like a whirlwind of events, so I’ll do my best to share them all with you. Saturday we went to a youth singing competition. It began at 1:00 and we didn’t get home until around 9:30. It was a long day! It was great to hear all of their singing, and of course they had us sing for them too. They loved it, and always enjoy all the hand motions. But like I have said before, you cannot leave a church until they feed you. They think it is incredibly rude, so we always, always eat. This particular time we were lead to this table full of pots of pans. There was rice, this stuff that looks like grits, but is really hard, and then this brown bony meat, which was cut up into squares. I thought the meat looked really interesting, but of course, we took some of everything that was offered and ate it! I chewed quickly, but politely and tried to avoid the big chunks of bone. Later on at home I asked what kind of meat we had eaten… it was goat! So the singing went well and we left with bellies full of goat, what a day. We rested up and were off for church on Sunday..


Well it was my first Father’s Day to spend away from Dad :( We went to a new church, as we do every Sunday, and once again it was a hut. But this was one quite a bit bigger than the last one. We got there at 8:00 for the Portuguese service, then Sunday school, then the Shangaan service after that. It was really awesome to see all the Dads being celebrated as they sang many songs together and the men danced and sang! The Restrick’s had planned to take a missionary friend of theirs out to lunch after church and had called the pastor to tell him that we wouldn’t be eating on Sunday so he wouldn’t be offended if we didn’t eat. I was kind of excited and we headed to the car after church but didn’t get very far. They told us to be sure we have a cup of juice before we left. Dave told us we all needed to, so back into the hut we went and were lead to chairs that were set up just for us! There was a familiar theme going on as pots and pans were brought out, full of rice, white grit stuff, and square bony meat!! I ate the goat pieces that were on my plate and tried to concentrate on the graciousness and hospitality of these loving people as I did so- it was the only way to get through it. We lived, and headed onto the airport to pick up the Restrick’s friend, and headed to a restaurant. It was such a treat and it was great food! A real Hawaiian pizza and a Coke Light made my day. We dropped their friend back off at the airport, because he was only in for a layover, and went back to the house to pick up the blankets we had been working on.

We headed out to the boy’s orphanage to give them the blankets that we had made last week! It was so much fun to see their excitement. We had a little service and were able to all sing together. The orphanage has come so far in the last couple weeks because it was brand new. It’s just a house that a man started allowing children with no homes come and live in. He is teaching them and receiving donations to provide for their needs. It was a blessing to see everything that God is doing in that place. After returning home, I was able to call home and talk to mom, dad, and Zach. It was so good to talk to them, especially since it was Father’s Day. Time seems to go faster and faster as the days pass, so we are doing our best to enjoy our time as much as possible. The last several days I have dealt with terrible stomach aches and other flu like symptoms. Rhoda thinks that the food we ate during the Jesus Film was somehow contaminated because the four of us have felt under the weather. We are beginning to feel a little better and pray that we continue to do so :) But now the Restrick's have left for their three and a half week journey to Northern Mozambique so we will be on our own for most of the remainder of our trip. It will be different from what we have been used to, but hopefully it will all go smoothly.

Love Always, Allyson

the Jesus film

On Friday we were supposed to be "painting a church" as they had told us on Thursday, so we got all ready in our painting clothes and met the group down at the seminary. The youth we were going with were all in nice dress clothes and we knew there must have bit of a misunderstanding. They told us, "Oh, we're showing the Jesus film instead." (We are still adapting to this laid back lifestyle and tried to remind ourselves that "this is different, but it's okay") So we walked back up to our guesthouse, changed, and met back at the van to leave. We traveled about 25 minutes to a little village area in Maputo. Once we arrived we walked from "house" to "house" with the Youth to invite the residents to view the film with us later on that night.

(side story: When we walked around the area inviting people to the film, there was a little girl with a severe mental disability sitting the the dirt. As we walked towards her (she was in the pathway) she was making very loud noises, yelling and as if she was trying to talk. She couldn't say any words and her legs didn't work. She started crawling towards us with her arms and was so dirty. Drool was pouring from her mouth and her sisters were playing on a tree behind her as nothing unordinary was happening. I immediately got nervous because she sounded in pain and I didn't know how to react. Kristin was the first one to kneel down to her. The first thing the girl wanted to do was touch her hands. We all knelt down to her and her noises immediately turned into some kind of happy hysteria. She was laughing and seemed in pure amazement as we touched her dirty hands. She dragged an old magazine with her and we showed great interest in it. Sometimes it's crazy what the little things can do. She was so sweet. It was challenging for me to begin with, but I am so glad we didn't just pass her. Sometimes the biggest blessings are in disguise. I heard the phrase 'the least of these' play over and over in my head as we touched her hands and her sweet face. Before we left Kaylee gave her a dum dum sucker that was in her purse. I cannot explain to you the laughing/screaming/happiness that came out of her in that moment. It's amazing what a simple touch can sometimes do. I feel like she was such a blessing to us, much more than we could have ever been to her. I won't ever forget that moment. She was beautiful.)

When we returned back to the film location we helped set up the projector system and all the equipment.. and then the guests started to arrive. Around 20 people showed up, including many little kids! It was a larger group than I would have expected because the area didn't seem very populated to begin with. The Youth in charge put on this upbeat Portuguese Christian music and began dancing with the guests! We had all of the little kids dancing with us, and we had such a good time. They are so funny and dancing is much different here than in the states! They would do these ridiculous motions, and it's all about mimicking... so they would do motions to something that looked like "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" and then point to us and expect us to mimic them. They found this hilarious, so we all had a great time.

We finally started the Jesus film after we all ate (of course) around 7:30. I had the privilege of holding this sweet little boy in my lap during the film who just could not seem to keep his eyes open. He was out shortly after it started. It really makes me wonder how often these children get to be held and loved on. The three of us all had a little one in our arms, but at first they seemed so awkward. They didn't know how to be comfortable and sat straight up on our laps, stiff and very shy. I pulled the little boy back so he could lean on me. It was pretty cold so I laid a jacket on top of him and let his head rest against my shoulder. After a few minutes his body relaxed and he seemed so peaceful, in what seemed the first time in quite a while. I wonder what his "bed" at home is like. If it was anywhere near the area that we showed the Jesus film, it was probably a cold cement floor. But what about his mom and dad? Did they have the time to ever hold him this way, to cuddle up with him and tell him that they love him? I don't understand how so many beautiful, innocent children can be expected to live so independently. I don't think I ever will understand. We can only love them as much as possible while we have the chance to. I never even caught the little boy's name last night. He spoke Shangaan, and once the film started I don't think he would have been able to hear me ask. It wasn't long before his little eyes were shut and he was off to sleep, but that was enough.. I didn't need to know.

At the end of the film there were about 4 or 5 individuals that came to the front to give their lives to Christ. It was a blessing to see and to hear all of their prayers, even though we weren't able to understand them. When the film was over, we said bye to all our little 'dance partners' and loaded back into the van to return back to seminary. It was a day that began much differently than we had anticipated, but it was very evident that God had a designated plan for our day. I'm learning that this is life.. often much different than we are able to imagine. But God is so good and he has plans that are so much greater and amazing than our own.

Love Always, Allyson

oh, it's thursday :]

The day began with waking up early in preparation to paint a church! We were almost ready and a student came to the gate to tell us that the painting was postponed until tomorrow at noon. So... we were left with a clean slate for the day! We (the girls) took a sheet outside with a couple books and planned on reading. It wasn't too long until we discovered that the escuelina was closed today, and soon our blanket was full of little ones to lay with. We played hand games and had tickle fights until lunch time. We came inside and made ourselves lunch... when we discovered a GINORMOUS SPIDER in the kitchen, on a book. This thing was massive and my throat is still soar from screaming. (The picture doesn't serve it's size justice) We found the roach spray and while Kristin and I stood back, Kaylee sprayed it until it was dead. I think that was the most chaos we have had since we have been here, fortunately! O.I.A. :)

The rest of our day we began making friendship bracelets (we're working towards one for each child) and we spent the remainder of our day outside. Allowing our hair to be hugged on and braided, serving as a human jungle gym, and playing various hand games. Their smiles and laughter never stop and they are truly a joy. Each one of them. I taught them what a dog pile was today and I only wish there was a picture of this beautiful disaster, the only reason there isn't one is that we were always under it. It's so much fun to see them enjoy new things! Yesterday Kaylee brought a coloring book outside and they colored for what seemed like hours! They are each so sweet to share the crayons and the pages. Some days they bring out their dinner and eat it outside around us, it's always, always rice and beans. This messy moment was captured yesterday when Merrelli enjoyed his dinner while sitting in my lap. Mmmmh.

The mosquitoes continue munching at my skin, but that seems to be the worst of things around here. Thankfully the Lord is keeping us healthy and things are going well. Our blankets are almost finished and all the books have been made, so we have made progress with our to-do list. The Restrick's are scheduled to return home tonight from their two day trip to South Africa so we are praying for their safe travels. Tomorrow, if all goes to plan, we should be painting that church! Then on Saturday we have a singing competition to go to, and if there is time left in the day, we will be going to deliver the blankets to the orphanage and showing the Jesus Film For Kids. I hope you're all having a great week! Thank you for all of your continued prayers.

Love Always, Allyson

I came across some more pictures that I thought you would all enjoy seeing. Just a little more about our life here in Africa at the moment :)

As you can see... we have some wild rides as we drive down these dirt roads. Notice the traffic doesn't seem too organized either.

People filling the back of a pickup truck. This is a very common sight along the road.

The streets are LINED with people selling things on these little stands made of sticks. They are actually selling toilets, pipes, and other different things.

Selena, Merrelli, Ada

My boy :) Merrelli. He found a whistle and couldn't get over the fact that he actually had a voice that day! (he doesn't talk.. yet!) So he blew this whistle all day long.

This little boy shows up from time to time and is super sweet.
these red overalls kill me! I love it.

This is the tree that the Children's school (escuelina) used to meet before they received the big storage containers they made tbeir building out of.

This was part of the dental team, Kristin's Aunt and Uncle actually, Bob and Diane. The man in the center of this picture just received a mouth piece, which gave him two front teeth! This was the first time we saw him smile, after he got his new, pretty teeth! :) It was amazing!

Inside the escuelina... singing and dancing with the kids.

The chapel on campus, and the parking places!

This was our first night in Africa. We lived in the student housing for the first week. Our bunks each had a mosquito net and we were just tickled about it. We have now moved into the guest house, which has less bugs and lizards. It's so nice that we don't have to use these kind of precautions, so we had to say goodbye to our African mosquito nets! Thankfully I got a picture first!

Well that's all for now! I'll post more when I can.
Love Always, Allyson

grass, white skin, and english

Yesterday was such a good day. We went to church in the morning... in a hut! Yes, it was this small hut that ended up holding about ninety people for four hours. It was definitely an experience. The whole service was in Shangaan (a native language here) so we didn't understand one word of the service (not that we ever do when it's in Portuguese either, haha), but it's so good to see people that are so different than us on the outside, worshiping the same God. Sunday was also "Mother's Day" at this church. Mother's day is just on whichever day each church feels like having it here... so it was yesterday! The Mom's all marched in with a dance they all do here... and did a drama as well. It was definitely different, but also fun. We were so hot and ready to leave by the 4th hour, but it was good! We're still adjusting to the length of the services here in Mozambique!

(The hut that we had church in, BEFORE all the people came in!)

After church we went back to the Restrick's and ate a great meal of roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, cauliflower and cheese, mixed veggies, and popovers. It was so good, and reminded me a little of home! (They're so good to us!) After this scrumptious meal, Dave took the four of us to the beach!! Which turned out to be only about 15 minutes away! It's amazing that it's only fifteen minutes from here, because it's a little ritzy and touristy. The Indian Ocean was beautiful. It was a very strange feeling to think we had our feet off the tip of Mozambique, into the Indian Ocean. We didn't swim because it was cold, but also because it's unsanitary. But it was pretty to see and we were able to collect some sea shells. After walking the beach, we went to this park-like area to get an icecream cone! What a TREAT. Those of you that know my eating habits, know that I love icecream, too much! So I was thrilled and had a chocolate icecream that I thoroughly enjoyed. Like I said, we were at a park (which was definitely the first one we've seen since we've been here) and we saw grass, people with white skin, and heard english! It was so exciting, and very unexpected. I never would have dreamed I would have been so excited to see someone that looked like me, but I was. For the first time in what feels like forever, I didn't feel like a martian in public. There wasn't anyone staring like I was from another world, or strangers taking pictures of me. I wasn't the center of attention for the first time as we walked through the crowd and it was very comforting. It was such a resfreshing afternoon... and it was something that I really needed. It was strange because I didn't realize how much I really needed this break... but thankfully it was provided. I feel very refreshed. The whole afternoon made me really think about those that are always the minority, even in America. I can't imagine always feeling alienated.. I hope that I never forget what it feels like to be looked at this way. I definitely identify more with those that are perceived as 'different' now. I think yesterday really helped me realize that.

(The sunset- facing shore from a flat spot of sand)

(I love them! And would be totally lost here without them.-Kaylee, Me, Kristin-)

(The Indian ocean!... facing shore though, but the sky was beautiful! - It's weird to see it set on the other side (towards shore)!)

Today we are making blankets for an orphanage that a man recently started here. It's a place that 'street children' are allowed to come and live. They have many needs, but one need is simply bedding... so Rhoda has gotten out all her spare fabric and batting and we're going to sew away! We're hoping to take these blankets on Saturday and show the Jesus film for children that night as well! This project should keep us busy until Thursday.... then we begin to paint a church! I'll update you all on the progress soon :)

(playing with the kids after returning home from the beach. It was really dark outside because of a power outage, so they weren't ever expecting the flash, so funny!)


Love Always, Allyson

ps: I'm probably going to have albums and albums of pictures on facebook when I get home... I just can't put them on yet because the internet is too slow with facebook for some reason. But get ready :)

Hello from Africa!

I'm sitting in the Restrick's living room, with a belly fully of our nightly tea, and the movie, "The Gods Must be Crazy 2" projected on the wall. A few minutes ago, Rhoda walked into the living room telling Dave that there was a lizard in their bathroom that wanted to go outside. She thought it would be nice if he would carry him out, so he did. Life is so different here, but we are getting used to things. I wish I would have journaled my very first thoughts more than I did, but hopefully I will be able to recall some of our culture differences and the way I first perceived them. Last night we walked into the kitchen to see Rhoda apologizing to the ants she was smashing. Saying, "sorry guys, but you picked the wrong kitchen today. I don't have enough time to take you all outside, I must cook dinner." I don't even need to tell you that she would never hurt a soul... or even the creatures without them.

(In the 'downtown' city)

I have gotten fairly used to the driving experiences here, as today our car stalled as Tomas was attempting to fly across traffic. Thankfully they all stopped for us, after much honking and many dirty looks. Along the roads there are countless children with barefeet, almost every woman has a baby in her sling and an oversized container of some sort balancing on her head. Dirt covers everything and makes up the "roads" here. There are always goats along the roads and many dogs too. There are numerous pick up trucks, which have probably around 25 people loaded in the backs of them- There are no laws about driving here. No lines in the road to separate lanes, and no laws against passing into oncoming traffic. I pray so much when we are riding along... Thankfully he always keeps us safe. There is a continuous smell of burning trash and body odor that fills the air. Mail boxes and mail delivery do not exist, so we don't receive mail. Being in the capital city of Mozambique, there is not as much greenery as I would have expected, I have been told that you have to drive a little further North to see all the farming. But here, there are many slabs of cement with thin metal roofs and clothes hanging to dry off of every possible corner. It is so overpopulated. Last week, it almost made me sick to watch out the window at some of the sights we would see, but I know that I prayed to break for this country, and that I am. It is so refreshing to see people that are so proud of where they are though. Nobody is ashamed of what they have, or what they don't, but they only want to share with you.

(Kaylee, Kristin, Rhoda, and I in the living room. "Make the face of your puppet")

My journey thus far has been a lot tougher than I would have expected it to be. I am struggling most with not being able to talk to Zach, Mom, and Dad over the phone. To hear their voices would make a world of difference.. Thankfully we have the internet. Another difficulty for us is that women really don't have a voice here. Jerry serves as our spokesperson for the most part. It's not that women can't have a say in things here, but they don't really look to women for answers and males are definitely more appreciated. It's an adjustment, one thing that I have taken for granted as an American. Continue to pray, as I know you all are :) Thank you so much for all you have been doing. I have really found so much encouragement through your prayers and support. We're really learning what it is like to live the African life, and it's definitely not easy. There is so much need! But we serve an able God. I'll write again soon.

(Me and Merrelli playing with bubbles. I think I MIGHT have found myself a favorite!)


Love Always, Allyson

Today we had a meeting with our site coordinator, Tomas, and another man named Adimi. It went so well and made us all feel a lot more at ease. I think only my parents and Zach knew this before, but a lot of our plans, housing arrangements, etc were not organized very well because this is the first year that Tomas ever worked with Youth in Mission. He was very busy this spring and his wife just had a baby two days ago. Needless to say, we all were left a little worried, and nervous about how the next weeks would unfold. Today at our meeting, the man Adimi that I mentioned told us that he would be filling Tomas' place, as Tomas has so much on his plate at the moment. Adimi grew up here, and now works in an office here on Seminary. He kept telling us, I will help you with anything you need. He said whenever we need to go to the store, just want to see around, or need transportation to an event on our schedule, he is here! How nice that was to hear! He speaks English really well and will also serve as our interpreter. It will be nice for the Restrick's too, because they won't have to drive us all around anymore. They have been so nice and so willing to help us! They are still so great. Their house is right across from the girls house, we're just steps away! So still we fix our meals here, eat dinner with them, and all have devotions and pray together at night.

Anyways, It was great news to receive. Everything is straightening out in God's timing. Tomorrow we will be going to two different districts to Pastor's meetings to talk with them about how youth is like in the churches of America. We'll see! It should be a good day. Thank you still for all of your encouragement. It's so great to hear :)

Love Always, Allyson

Meet Merrelli:

I wanted to tell you all about this boy here at seminary. His name is Merrelli and he has a mental disability. He's a little one, only four years old, but he always walks around with the BIGGEST smile on his face.. so big that his mouth is usually gaping open. A stream of drool has usually made its way to his shirt, but he is so eager to run up and hug you. He is probably one of the most ticklish kids here and loves to make an attempt at cartwheels. He doesn't talk yet, but Rhoda says that we just need to keep praying that he will. I love to hold him and just talk to him. He's so responsive, but just can't seem to get any words out. While all the kids scream praises, he stands right in the middle of them and will do every motion to the song with the biggest smile on his adorable face. I have grown to love this boy so much, and I find myself worrying about his future. Of course, he holds a special place in my heart because I have a sensitivity towards his circumstance. I have been told that kids with disabilities have an extremely tough time here in Mozambique once they get older. I know that God has placed his family here on seminary for a reason. I am blessed to have this time to love on him.

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Anyways... I wanted to thank all of you that have left me comments, your encouragement means so much! I love hearing about what is going on with all of you too because it makes me feel so connected. I am so thankful for all of you.

The Lord is really working in me. I am really learning how to trust him fully with less reservations. Kaylee, my teammate, shared with us something her mom reminded her before she left, 'the Lord does not provide in bulk, he provides us our daily bread.' I am so thankful for that. This is the day that the Lord has made, I don't need to worry about tomorrow. The days seem to be exhausting and slow at times, but we are opening ourselves up to whatever is asked of us. It's such a blessing to be able to help the Restrick's out around the seminary. It's great to be able to do something for those that are continuously serving others. Tomorrow we will be going with one of the NYI presidents to clean church grounds. They are always hesitant to put us to work here, but we are having to reassure them not to treat us special just because we are Americans. It's sweet that they want to treat us as special guests, but we are having to remind them that we are here to serve. Americans are viewed with very high importance here- that we have all the answers and solutions, so we are working to break these assumptions. We want them to know that they are just as capable to learn, grow, and go places. We are one body.

As we are learning to communicate with the people around campus, we are building trust and relationships. We are loving them more and more by the day. They are great and are always shouting out a friendly greeting whenever they see us. (We are quite easy to spot around here, even from far away.) I hear "BOM DIA, (pronounced: bone diya) Ally-zone (or) Ally-sun." It's cute! And when they see Kristin, they say, "Cristina!", and Kaylee, they hardly say, but when they see Jerry, they say, "Oh, Tom and Jerry." Haha.. they're funny.

Anyways.. I'll talk to you all when I can.
Love Always, Allyson

Finally.... a few pictures!!!

Oh bless us, looking like that in London (during our 12 hour layover here), haha, but it was so much fun!

At the London airport, during what seemed like ENDLESS travel. oh, and people sit on bushes here. ?? Haha!

The guest house that we (the girls) are staying in on Seminary in Maputo.

our precious babies :)
(top row: Maria & Maria. bottom row, left to right: Selena, Victoria, Jo Onnah)

more SWEET kids at seminary (notice the 5 year old next to me toting her baby sister around while the mom was doing other things- this is how they all carry babies here!)

In one of our van/bus/car rides to church! LOVE them.
he's so sweet.... they all are!
chickens!! dinner?? probably.

playing with some of the kids again :)

This took FOREVER to load... so it may be the only pictures for a while.. but I am glad to have a few to show you guys. When I get up extra early again one day in the future I may post more. Yesterday was a great day in town, and today will be a busy one! We will be filling in for Mama Rhoda in her English class today, then packaging prescriptions, filling children sponsorship registration forms, etc. It will be a good and productive day. I will talk to you all soon.

Love Always, Allyson

it's sunday!

Good evening! -Bom Tarde- :)

I have come down with a case of... homesickness! But it's okay.. I'm pressing on!!
Tonight has been a really good night as Rhoda thinks of us in every way.
She made us Chicken, baked potatoes, salad with ranch, and bread. There is bread pudding waiting for us at the seminary for dessert- and possibly even a board game! Pray for her... blessings on her, because she and Dave are both SO great. They're our home away from home and encourage us every day. We would be lost without them. She is also a nurse, which is a great thing, just incase!

Anyways, we experienced our first Sunday! Whoo..
I am ALWAYS full here! They expect us to eat after every gathering that takes place inside a church. In fact, if you don't eat, it's extremely rude. So we eat, and eat. Which sounds so odd, I know I thought so too, but it's their culture. They share everything with everyone! So we also had a little surprise that Jerry was preaching! And we were leading worship! "The key to missions IS... Flexibility" Indeed. It went well and we were able to teach everyone "waves of mercy" with every hand motion that is physically possible involved too. Needless to say, they loved it!! We are also getting used to many many pictures... people have walked up to us to take our pictures and the children love to pet our hair. We're trying our best to keep them from making us the attention and concentrating on loving them like they are one of us. I know they will begin to see us a little more normally over time, just as the seminary kids do now.

We have been riding around in the Restrick's bus/van/car whatever you would call it. It fits 8 people.. but we usually have around 12 plus some kids when we go off campus. Driving here is an adventure in itself. I have truly learned what it means to be car sick. I wish I could explain the driving, but I think I would need a video camera or something to do so. But the roads are not roads... they are more like little dirt paths around the massive holes, bumps, and boulders.. People all PILE in cars too, and I do mean pile, almost to the point of never getting out. It's always an adventure. T.I.A. haha.

So as far as the prayers, thank you so much. Specifically, I would ask you to pray for the guidance of those leading us, and continuously for our adjustment as we are being submerged into such a different culture. We have definitely felt major emotional and stressful culture shock, and it has begun to take its toll on our stomachs. But we are pressing on.. and just taking one day at a time. 'This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.' -That's our anthem for sure. We don't know all the plans that lie ahead, but we're really learning that we don't need to. Today (as I was thinking about my homesickness, and my fiance sickness :) ) I really had to sit back and think about the whole picture. I know I am here for a purpose. God never promises it will be easy, but he promises to never leave us. and he always fufills his promises. We know that we have an end date to this journey that actually takes place here in Africa, but we don't know exactly what the next 43 days will hold. All we know is that God has our BEST intrest in mind. And he will use us as long as we are willing.

Today Rhoda was sharing a word of encouragment with us and she shared this story. 'As I was watching the dentist perform a root canal... I saw myself in the eyes of the patient. She was terrified and could not fully trust the dentist because her fear got in the way. She wanted to put her hands infront of her mouth and delay his plans, and just could not control her feelings. But without her knowing it... he had a bigger plan in mind. He had her best interest in mind. And that is exactly how God is with us. Even when we cannot see the big picture, he has our best interest in mind and he can see the big picture. I know that you all may be afraid or hesitant at times along this journey, but God is on control of the plans he has for you.'

I miss you and love you all.. I'll be writing when I can :)
Love Always, Allyson

structure is here!

Today we woke up and ate breakfast at the Restricks house (which is just on campus, about 2 ft. away) :) and we watched a little bit of the work and witness team while they provided dental care to those from the campus. They are such sweet people and it's really awesome to see their ministry at work.
While we were sitting in there, Tomas, our site coordinator, told us that we had a meeting to attend. At that meeting there were four others who are in charge of two church districts in Maputo, they were, Osvaldo, Elvido, Narciso, and Olivia. They went over all of the things they have planned for the next two months and explained how their churches work. Hallelujah!- we have some structure!! :) So we all sat down at picnic benches and looked at our Portuguese schedule! (we'll have it translated later today) and saw that we are helping with their youth -(children through any unmarried people) programs on Saturdays and Sundays. Also on either Wednesday or Thursday (depending on the week) we will also help out with various things. I am excited because they are so eager to learn how we do things in America, and add some of our structure to their own, but also are eager to show us how they do things here. They really want to have the best for their people and try to supply them with the best resources... they are so happy we are here.. which is so humbling and also an honoring experience. They have agreed to help us with Portuguese if we help them with English. It's really awesome that we all seem to be in the same boat.
My teammates have been awesome.. and especially us girls have gotten really close. They make me laugh a lot, so of course we have fun :) Laughing makes the frustrating moments so much easier. They both have such sweet spirits and really are beginning to feel like family. We've laughed about how we have already made it half way around the world together and been in three continents.. that we better feel like family! We also tend to laugh a ton as we creep into our bunk beds at night and escape undr out mosquito nets! Oh its a sight, a very funny one. We have lots of bugs at night and had our first experience with a lizard! We say, "oh, T I A." (Oh, this IS Africa) :) haha. We love it though, so much!

So today in about 40minutes, the kids will get out of school and we will play with them until dinner, I'm sure.

(about their school: I wanted to say that we sawtheir school for the first time today. The people hereare SO resourseful. They have used three shipping cartrigages (big metal bins that hold materials) all put together with a roof above them all as their school. It is almost like portables, but definitely not as sturdy. They are SO proud and thankful for them... they told us that they were SUCH an answer to prayer because school used to meet under the big tree, every day from 8:00-3:00.)

They don't know English and laugh when we try to thank them with "Obrigada," but even though we don't know Portuguese, they give us a ton of attention anyway. They are all so precious in their own way.
Rhoda Restrick is in the process of setting up their Sponsership Program because none of them have families that can support them. We will have the honor of helping Rhoda with that... I can't imagine what that will be like to see Sponsership cards with the faces of so many children I have already grown to love so mcuh. They are unbelievable & are so thankful of what they have. Some have their little behinds hanging out of shorts that barely stay on... however, they just fasten another safety pin on and run off on their way. Others have holes in their shirts that show their bloated black bellies, which all happen to be very ticklish. :) The things they wear we have seen everyday because there is not a selection for them. Most of them run barefoot through the sand and rocks (which is what all of the ground is made up of here.) Never the less, they sing. They sing praise songs in Portuguese, of course, that they learn at the school here. They don't just sing softly... they scream praises. They are so beautiful. I love them.
They are so blessed - but also give me such more of an insight of love. These children are in need of our gifts, our resources, our time, our love. I am so thankful that they are learning the word of God. They love to sing: God is so good. "Gaud is su gooooood."

Anyways, I have tried to upload a couple of pictures, but our internet is very weak and won't load them. So im not sure if it will ever happen before I get home, but we'll see.
Have a great day! We'll talk to you soon.
Love Always, Allyson

we're HERE!

Bom Dia! I feel like it's been forever since I have written, but we also have lived on an airplane since Sunday at lunch time! We had a 12 hour layover in London and got to explore near Green Park and saw So much!! The Millennium Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, etc. It was unreal and we were so privelaged to have the opportunity! I have a ton of pictures!

Then when we got back on our plan that evening, we flew all night, once again, and went to Johannasburg for a layover. We didn't have enough time to get to our next plane since we had to recheck our bags (there is currently a disagreement between those airlines) so It took quite a while. But through all that... WE MADE IT! So here I sit, in Maputo, Mozambique, Africa... writing to you in a classroom of the Maputo Nazarene Seminary :)

So we finally got here to Africa around 3:00pm and waited outside the airport for quite a while for Tomas, our site coordinator. He is a college student here at the bible college where we're staying and used to be the NYI coordinator until he got married and now he and his wife are expecting a baby. but when he picked us up he came running out of his car and sprinted all the way to us. he gave us all a huge hug and was so welcoming. It was a relief to know we would be picked up :) haha. So he drove us, and all our crazy luggage to the school.. i have never seen anywhere like this. There aren't really roads at all, but dirt paths and people selling things like toilet paper and toothbrushes at them. Cars are on opposite sides of the street but also drive into traffic everywhere else! It's very interesting. haha. But when we got here the Restricks (our life savers) showed us where we were staying. The girls and I are in a room with bunk beds right now. We each have a mosquito net and a sheet. It's very nice and better than we could have expected.

The children all ran to us when we arrived and began singing to us at the top of their lungs. We danced around together and held them. They loved to hold our hands and just touch us. They are absolutely beautiful. I have never felt so "right." I felt as if I was right where I belong- I can't really explain it.. but like I was just, right. Ahh.. They're so beautiful. All I could do was cry... It was so overwhelming to be those that I have been praying for so much and to finally be where I have dreamed of being.

Meals are also a very big deal here.. they had dinner ready and expected everyone there. There is a work and witness team here right now of adults, and they run a dentist ministry. They eat with us too. You would love them all and especially Dave Restrick. They're an older missionary couple and he teaches as a professor here at the college- but also is huge in the Nazarene Church here. They have lived here for 17 years. Together they run so much that goes on here at the Seminary.. and Rhoda is a nurse. They are such great people! They will be awesome people to work with and to learn from.

I would love for Zach and I to come back here and have them take us to North Mozambique. They tell us that North Mozambique has nearly no education, churches, or anything. With one road and people so hungry for structure. I think it would be an amazing place to teach and to also learn.

Anyways.. we are still so exhausted but excited to be here. Tomas has planned for us to work in several churches and to do some teaching at some (which I think is like General) Assembly for Mozambique. We will also be working a lot with Youth. Today the Restricks and the Work and Witness Team are traveling so we are here and exploring the campus. We will be able to play with the kids again once school gets out at 3:00. Later this week they are arranging for us to have a couple Portuguese classes so that we will be able to work more with this community! They are so generous to do that. The Restricks are giving us about two days to catch up on sleep and overcome jet lag before all of this begins. Thank you Lord :) Thank you for all your prayers!! We made it through carrying our site funds, luggage, and ministry material. The Lord was truly protecting us! Thank you so much!

I wanted to also mention that we all drew popsicle sticks at training camp to receive a name of someone to pray for that is going on Youth in Mission this summer, but to a different country than our own. I received Daniel Hillian, who is going to Giuyana in South America. He never really told me anything in particular to pray for but help me by keeping him in your prayers! He wrote this verse on the other side of his popsicle stick, James 1:19, 20:

My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen,
slow to speak and slow to become angry,
for man's anger does not bring about
the righteous life that God desires.

I will write later this week. I love you all.... now you can be more at ease. We are safe and in great care. Thank you for everything!
Love Always, Allyson... (Aleee-sone is how it sounds around here) :) Love it!